Theater
After his popular Michael Jackson — Back to the 80s, acclaimed theater director Wang Chia-ming (王嘉明) returns with Bluesy Lee — Welcome to the 70s (李小龍的阿砸一聲). The story, which spans six generations, tackles issues of national identity and world politics in 1970s Taiwan. The top-notch cast includes up-and-coming star Chang Jung-jung (張榕容), Golden Horse Award-winning Wu Peng-fon (吳朋奉) and theater veterans Fa, Mo Tzu-yi (莫子儀) and Huang Chien-wei (黃健瑋).
■ National Theater, Taipei City
■ Tonight at 7:30pm, tomorrow at 2:30pm and 7:30pm and Sunday at 2:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$500 to NT$2,000, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Inspired by Jean Genet’s 1947 Les Bonnes and Eugene Ionesco’s 1951 La Lecon, La Lecon des Bonnes (雙婢怨), by the Snow White Entertaining Troupe (白雪綜藝劇團), is a black comedy that centers on two maids and two starlets. The cast includes theater veteran Hu Hsiu-wei (胡修維), whose drag persona is Hu BB (胡BB) and television female entertainers Hu Ying-chen (胡盈禎) and Jane Lee (李佩甄).
■ Eslite Bookstore Xinyi Branch Performance Hall (誠品信義店展演廳), 11 Songgao Rd, Taipei City (台北市松高路11號)
■ Tonight at 7:30pm, tomorrow at 2:30pm and 7:30pm and Sunday at 2:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$800, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
The 16th Crown Art Festival (第16屆皇冠藝術節) opens with Thief in Disguise (賊變), in which the story is told through a conversation between a thief and a blind, lonely woman, played by established actress Lu Yi-ching (陸弈靜).
■ Crown Theater (皇冠藝術中心小劇場), 50, Ln 120, Dunhua N Rd, Taipei City (台北市敦化北路120巷50號)
■ Tonight at 7:30pm, tomorrow at 2:30pm and 7:30pm and Sunday at 2:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$500, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
I Rhyme for You — Love Songs (我為你押韻—情歌), Creative Society’s (創作社) latest production, is a self-reflexive melodrama in which a mysterious woman meets a suicidal playwright.
■ Wenshan Theater (文山劇場), 32 Jingwen St, Taipei City (台北市景文街32號)
■ Tonight at 7:30pm, tomorrow at 2:30pm and 7:30pm and Sunday at 2:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$500, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Sifansekong (思凡色空) by Jing Explore Theater (京探號劇場) explores emotions, desire and identity through the tale of a female Buddhist monk.
■ 363 Theater (363小劇場), 4F, 36-3, Fuxing S Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市復興南路一段36-3號4樓)
■ Tonight and Monday at 7:30pm, tomorrow and Sunday at 2:30pm and 7:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$500, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Classical music
Jerome Rose Piano Recital (傑羅姆.羅斯鋼琴獨奏會) brings concert pianist Jerome Rose to Taiwan for a series of concerts in Taichung, Taipei and Hsinchu. The program includes Brahms’ Rhapsodies Op. 79 and Sonata No. 3, Op. 5 F Minor and Listz’s Sonetto 47, 104, 123 del Petraca, Selections from “Years of Pilgrimage” and Vallee d’Obermann.
■ Today at 7:30 (Taichung), Tuesday at 7:30pm (Taipei) and Wednesday at 7:30pm (Hsinchu)
■ Taichung City Seaport Art Center (台中市立港區藝術中心), 21 Jhongjhen Rd, Cingshuei Dist, Greater Taichung (台中市清水區忠貞路21號); National Concert Hall, Taipei City, and Performance Hall of Bureau of Cultural Affairs Hsinchu City (新竹市文化局演藝廳), 17, Dongda Rd Sec 2, Hsinchu City (新竹市東大路二段17號)
■ Tickets are NT$300 and NT$500 for Taichung, NT$400 to NT$2,000 for Taipei and NT$300 to NT$1,200 for Hsinchu, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com
Franz Listz — Solo Recital by Eric Chen (曠世琴魔李斯特 — 陳冠宇2011鋼琴獨奏會) is part of a series of concerts to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Franz Liszt. The concert, performed by emerging talent Eric Chen (陳冠宇) includes Liszt’s Liebestraum No. 3 in A-flat, S.541 No. 3, Piano Sonata in B Minor, S. 178, Tarantella and Totentanz.
■ Tomorrow at 7:30pm
■ National Recital Hall, Taipei City
■ Tickets are NT$300 to NT$1,000, available through ERA ticketing or online www.ticket.com.tw
Uri and TSO (Uri Caine 的過癮音樂) sees the prolific composer and pianist Uri Caine performing together with the Taipei Symphony Orchestra (台北市立交響樂團) under Yang Chi-chin (楊智欽). The program features two of Caine’s own works: The Diabelli Variations for chamber orchestra and piano solo.
■ Tomorrow at 7:30pm
■ Zhongshan Hall (台北市中山堂), 98 Yanping S Rd, Taipei City (台北市延平南路98號)
■ Tickets are NT$300 to NT$1,000, available through NTCH ticketing or online www.artsticket.com.tw
Lament and Awakening (追憶‧田園) presents violinist Viviane Hagner performing together with the National Symphony Orchestra (國家交響樂團) under Gunther Herbig. The program includes Brahm’s Tragic Overture, Op. 81, Alban Berg’s Violin Concerto, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Op. 68, Pastorale.
■ Sunday at 2:30pm
■ National Concert Hall, Taipei City
■ Tickets are NT$400 to NT$1,500, available through NTCH ticketing or online www.artsticket.com.tw
Contemporary
Legacy Taipei hosts British synthpop band Hurts tonight. The Manchester duo was on the BBC’s list of most promising bands last year. Tomorrow’s show with Hsu Chia-ying (徐佳瑩) is already sold out. Wednesday’s program features Coconuts (椰子) and Bowz Tiger (包子虎).
■ Huashan 1914 Creative Park (華山1914), Center Five Hall (中五館), 1, Bade Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市八德路一段1號)
■ All shows start at 8pm, except Wednesday concerts, which start at 8:30pm
■ NT$1,800 tonight, sold out tomorrow, NT$500 on Wednesday (NT$400 in advance). Tickets for the venue’s concerts can be purchased at ERA ticketing outlets, online through www.ticket.com.tw or www.legacy.com.tw or at 7-Eleven ibon kiosks
Tonight Revolver hosts Dubwise, an evening of reggae music organized by Islandjam [see The Vinyl Word on this page].
■ 1-2, Roosevelt Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市羅斯福路一段1-2號), tel: (02) 3393-1678
■ Show starts at 10:30pm
■ Entrance tonight is NT$350, includes one drink
The Wall (這牆) hosts Japanese hardcore/screamo band Envy [see story on page 14]. Popular funk rock band Coach (教練樂隊) holds a concert tomorrow to celebrate its eighth birthday. On Sunday, it’s metal night with Revilement, Flesh Juicer, Gorepot and Intenstinal Pancakes (生腸鬆餅).
■ B1, 200, Roosevelt Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市羅斯福路四段200號B1), tel: (02) 2930-0162. On the Net: www.thewall.com.tw
■ Shows start at 8pm tonight, tomorrow and Sunday
■ NT$1,300 tonight, NT$500 tomorrow (NT$400 in advance) and Sunday. Tickets for all shows can be purchased online through www.thewall.com.tw or tickets.books.com.tw
Jazz guitarist Gin Lin (林華勁) performs with his group tonight at Witch House (女巫店), which regularly hosts shows from both indie rock bands and folk artists in a coffeehouse setting. Female indie rock duo 23.5 performs tomorrow, and on Thursday, it’s acoustic solo performers Marine (馬林) and Erin Xia (夏寧杉).
■ 7, Ln 56, Xinsheng S Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市新生南路三段56巷7號), tel: (02) 2362-5494. On the Net: www.witchhouse.org
■ Shows start at 9:30pm. Restaurant/bar with queer/feminist bookstore and large collection of board games open 11am to midnight Sundays through Wednesdays, 11am to 1am Thursdays through Saturdays
■ Entrance for music shows is NT$300
Freeman, a group of session jazz musicians, performs tonight at the Riverside Cafe (河岸留言). Aboriginal folk singer Panai (巴奈) appears tomorrow [see story on page 14], and on Sunday, it’s Mando-pop singers Ai Ching (艾青) and Lien Yi-han (連依涵) and her group Heavy Rain Report (大雨特報). Monday is the venue’s weekly open jam.
■ B1, 2, Ln 244, Roosevelt Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市羅斯福路三段244巷2號B1), next to Taipower Building (台電大樓), tel: (02) 2368-7310. On the Net: www.riverside.com.tw
■ Show starts tonight at 9:30pm, 9pm on all other nights. For a list of standard songs and ground rules for the open jam, visit the venue’s Web site
■ NT$400 tonight and tomorrow, NT$350 Sunday and NT$150 Monday. Tickets can purchased online through www.riverside.com.tw or tickets.books.com.tw
Riverside Live House hosts beloved indie pop trio Tizzy Bac tonight and tomorrow. Nu-metal band Wavelight (波光折返) and electronica group Frande take to the stage on Thursday.
■ 177 Xining S Rd, Taipei City (台北市西寧南路177號), tel: (02) 2370-8805. On the Net: www.riverside.com.tw
■ Show starts at 8pm tonight, 8:30pm tomorrow and Thursday
■ Entrance is NT$500 tonight and tomorrow, NT$400 on Thursday. Tickets can be purchased online through www.riverside.com.tw/livehouse or tickets.books.com.tw
Two expat groups, garage rockers The Deadly Vibes and experimental rock duo Okay Cars play tonight at Underworld (地下社會). Tomorrow it’s The Clippers (夾子電動大樂隊) with an opening set from experimental electronica act Shishukong (屍術控). Up-and-coming indie bands Black Heart (黑心) and Tough Black Tea (硬式紅茶) take to the stage on Wednesday.
■ B1, 45 Shida Rd, Taipei City (台北市師大路45號B1), tel: (02) 2369-0103. On the Net: www.upsaid.com/underworld
■ Shows run from 9pm to 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Underworld is open daily from 9pm, closed on Mondays. Happy hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays before midnight
■ Entrance for music shows is NT$300 on Fridays and Saturdays, including one drink. Entrance for Wednesday shows is NT$100
So La Lay (和拉伯) performs Latin Jazz tonight at Sappho de Base. Tomorrow it’s the Earl Hines Jazztet. On Tuesday, jazz singer Ahaha Masafumi of Japan takes to the stage. Elin’s Jazz Quartet is on Wednesday and French expat Olivier Baron and his trio perform on Thursday.
■ B1, 1, Ln 102, Anhe Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市安和路一段102巷1號B1), tel: (02) 2700-5411. On the Net: www.sappho102.biz
■ Shows start at 10pm. The venue is closed on Sundays and Mondays
■ Entrance is NT$200 tonight, NT$150 tomorrow, free on other nights
The Wall (這牆) programs regular live rock shows at Kaohsiung’s Pier 2 Arts Center (高雄駁二藝術特區). Tonight indie band Relax One (輕鬆玩) takes to the stage. Japanese hardcore band Envy performs tomorrow. On Sunday, it’s indie bands Cubic, Donkey’s Ears (驢子耳朵) and Neurosiser.
■ 1 Dayong Rd, Yancheng Dist, Greater Kaohsiung (高雄市鹽埕區大勇路1號). On the Net: pier-2.khcc.gov.tw, www.thewall.com.tw
■ Shows start at 7:30pm
■ NT$400 tonight, entrance is NT$900 tomorrow (NT$700) and NT$300 on Sunday
On May 21, Odyssey presents Balance and Global Underground at Nangang 101 featuring three of the biggest names in electronic dance music: Darren Emerson, Dave Seaman and Nick Warren. “It’s a once in a lifetime DJ lineup. Taiwan has never seen anything like this before. Each DJ in this show is a massive headliner in his own right, and to have all of them together at the same show is something that we feel will be very special and unique,” said Jimmy Chen (real name Chen I-cheng, 陳怡成), one of the people behind Odyssey. Read next Friday’s Vinyl Word for interviews with the three DJs.
■ Nangang 101 (南港101), 71 Xingnan St, Taipei City (台北市興南街71號)
■ May 21 from 9pm to 4am
■ Advance tickets are NT$ 1,200 each (limited to 2,000), available from www.g-music.iticket.com.tw. Admission at the door is NT$1,600
Events
Taipei-based photographer Charles “Chad” Meacham and partner Sarah Baxter, a freelance writer, spent a year covering 15 gay pride events around the world for their ambitious Walk With Pride project. Photographs documenting homophobia at those gatherings will be displayed at h*ours cafe in Gongguan and the Banciao Train Station (板橋火車站) as part of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO) on May 17.
■ h*ours cafe (h*ours 咖啡店), 12, Alley 8, Ln 210, Roosevelt Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市羅斯福路三段210巷8弄12號), Banciao Train Station B1 Exhibition Space, 7, Sianmin Blvd Sec 2, Banciao District, New Taipei City, toward the subway station (新北市板橋區縣民大道二段7號B1, 往捷運方向);
walkwithpridenow.com
■ The h*ours exhibit runs through May 26. The Banciao Train Station exhibit starts today and runs until May 20. Free
Taipei Discussion and Learning meets every Sunday at Cafe Bastille to hear lectures and discuss topics such as philosophy, science, anthropology, globalization and alternative medicine. All discussions and lectures are conducted in English. This Sunday’s topic is entitled The Science Behind the Power of Words and Its Application for Meditation.
■ Cafe Bastille, 7 Wenzhou St, Taipei City (台北市溫州街7號), tel (02) 2362-9981
■ Every Sunday at 7:45pm
■ Entrance is free. For more information visit www.taipeidiscussionandlearning.blogspot.com
Last week Joseph Nye, the well-known China scholar, wrote on the Australian Strategic Policy Institute’s website about how war over Taiwan might be averted. He noted that years ago he was on a team that met with then-president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), “whose previous ‘unofficial’ visit to the US had caused a crisis in which China fired missiles into the sea and the US deployed carriers off the coast of Taiwan.” Yes, that’s right, mighty Chen caused that crisis all by himself. Neither the US nor the People’s Republic of China (PRC) exercised any agency. Nye then nostalgically invoked the comical specter
Relations between Taiwan and the Czech Republic have flourished in recent years. However, not everyone is pleased about the growing friendship between the two countries. Last month, an incident involving a Chinese diplomat tailing the car of vice president-elect Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) in Prague, drew public attention to the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) operations to undermine Taiwan overseas. The trip was not Hsiao’s first visit to the Central European country. It was meant to be low-key, a chance to meet with local academics and politicians, until her police escort noticed a car was tailing her through the Czech capital. The
April 15 to April 21 Yang Kui (楊逵) was horrified as he drove past trucks, oxcarts and trolleys loaded with coffins on his way to Tuntzechiao (屯子腳), which he heard had been completely destroyed. The friend he came to check on was safe, but most residents were suffering in the town hit the hardest by the 7.1-magnitude Hsinchu-Taichung Earthquake on April 21, 1935. It remains the deadliest in Taiwan’s recorded history, claiming around 3,300 lives and injuring nearly 12,000. The disaster completely flattened roughly 18,000 houses and damaged countless more. The social activist and
Over the course of former President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) 11-day trip to China that included a meeting with Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Xi Jinping (習近平) a surprising number of people commented that the former president was now “irrelevant.” Upon reflection, it became apparent that these comments were coming from pro-Taiwan, pan-green supporters and they were expressing what they hoped was the case, rather than the reality. Ma’s ideology is so pro-China (read: deep blue) and controversial that many in his own Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) hope he retires quickly, or at least refrains from speaking on some subjects. Regardless